DIY Raspberry Liqueur

Raspberry liqueur isn't hard to find, but the bottles you can buy are all over the map. Some options are candy sweet, while others are cough syrup-strong. Making your own liqueur gives you control over how sweet and boozy the end result is—you're likely to end up with something that better suits your sugar tolerance.

Notes:

You can use frozen or fresh berries. Often frozen berries are sweeter and less expensive. If using frozen, defrost them before using.

If you're using vanilla bean, the pod can be used for another infusion after this one or to make vanilla extract since it will still have plenty of flavor left.

Ingredients

Procedures

Place the raspberries in a sealable glass jar and mash them with a spoon or muddler until just broken up enough to release juice. Add wine, seal, and shake the jar. Let steep for 2 days.

2

Pour brandy in pint-sized sealable glass jar along with the vanilla bean, split and scraped, and the lemon zest. Seal and shake the jar, then let steep for 2 days.

3

Strain the raspberry-wine mixture through strainer lined with cheesecloth. Reserve the raspberries for another use, if desired. Set aside one cup of infused wine and pour remainder into small saucepan. Add sugar. Heat over medium heat until sugar is dissolved and mixture is syrupy, 5 to 7 minutes. Let syrup cool to room temperature.